In the News

  1. October 17, 2024
    • Sonja Schuetz

    “A lot of times people feel like, ‘It doesn’t matter how long I sleep. I wake up and feel like a truck ran over me,’” said Sonja Schuetz, clinical associate professor of neurology, about people who experience unrefreshing sleep without a clear underlying medical cause — a phenomenon that seems linked to inadequate deep, restorative rest.

    TIME
  2. October 17, 2024
    • J. Alex Halderman

    “It’s important to point out that the existence of (ballot) vulnerabilities is not in and of itself evidence that any past election result was compromised. But it’s certainly a concern looking ahead. … Of course, as a voter, the existence of vulnerabilities isn’t a reason not to vote,” said J. Alex Halderman, professor of electrical engineering and computer science.

    National Public Radio
  3. October 16, 2024
    • Thuy Le
    • Kenneth Warner

    “We have seen a remarkable decline in young adult smoking over the past decade. However, rates among older adults who smoke have remained stagnant,” said Thuy Le, assistant research scientist in health management and policy, who along with Ken Warner, professor emeritus of health management and policy, found that quitting smoking after age 65 will add at least eight years of life for nearly 10% of people.

    U.S. News & World Report
  4. October 16, 2024
    • Mara Ostfeld

    “We did find that the switch from Biden being at the top of the ticket to Harris being at the top of ticket did have a significant effect on Detroiters saying they were extremely likely to vote in the election,” said Mara Ostfeld, research associate professor of public policy, whose research shows a 7% rise in voter interest after President Biden dropped out, with 77% of 18- to 34-year-old, moderate-income Detroiters now planning to vote.

    WEMU Radio
  5. October 16, 2024
    • Headshot of Anne Pitcher

    “They’ve already done the rigging before the election. They’ve made it difficult for people to register to vote. In the areas where they are strong, they then make sure that they do a more comprehensive registration,” said Anne Pitcher, professor of political science and Afroamerican and African studies, about Frelimo, the political party that has ruled Mozambique since 1975.

    The Guardian (U.K.)
  6. October 15, 2024
    • Greg Less

    “We’ve had 100 years to refine the safety of gasoline-powered vehicles, and we’re a little over a decade in terms of high-volume production of (electric vehicles). Events are rare but they catch a lot of attention,” said Alan Taub, professor of mechanical engineering and materials science and engineering, about the likelihood of EV lithium-ion batteries catching fire. Greg Less, director of the U-M Battery Lab, said “in spite of what might sound like dire warnings, we still believe EVs are safe to drive and safe to own.” 

    The New York Times
  7. October 15, 2024
    • Headshot of Ravi Anupindi

    The closure of a North Carolina plant that produces 60% of the nation’s supply of IV fluid could cause a national health crisis, and such companies should have a contingency plan in place when a disaster occurs, says Ravi Anupindi, professor of technology and operations: “Especially for critical health commodities. There has to be some oversight on the part of the relevant agencies to ensure we’re not so vulnerable.” 

    WILX/Lansing
  8. October 15, 2024
    • Photo of Justin Wolfers

    Inflation is cooling, the stock market is booming, unemployment is down, consumer sentiment is up. “This is the economic expansion that economists were afraid to hope for,” said Justin Wolfers, professor of public policy and economics. “But it’s happening, and it’s amazing.”

    CNBC
  9. October 14, 2024
    • Holly Hughes

    “The queer community has a long history of using creative expression, often humorous, joyful, erotic, to not just survive but thrive in uncertain and challenging times. That sense of play and celebration is present often when conditions are dire,” said Holly Hughes, professor of art and design and of theatre and drama, about “Gender Euphoria,” a semester-long symposium designed to “explore how to make art and find queer joy in a state of emergency.”

    Hyperallergic
  10. October 14, 2024
    • Henry Liu

    “Ensuring safety is important for consumers, for autonomous vehicle developers, for the federal government as well. The federal government has the responsibility to help set the minimum standard, to help provide guidance in terms of safety testing,” said Henry Liu, director of Mcity and professor of civil and environmental engineering, who supports a national driver’s test for AVs before they could travel on public roads.

    The Associated Press